Derek Ochodnicky’s Post

Not exactly new news but I had to comment on it because I think this has big implications for the EV market. Volkswagen Group made a big move by investing an initial $1 billion, which will potentially rise to $5 billion, into Rivian. This looks to be an equally good deal for both parties. This may have been a shock to some people, but credit where credit is due, I remember reading about this potential move quite a while ago in EV inFocus. For VW, this partnership solves many of it's software challenges, providing a big boost to their tech capabilities. For Rivian, it is a big financial boost and enhances its production capacity, which is important as I know they have ambitious goals. Last year, Rivian were looking at a net loss of nearly $1.45 billion, so this finance injection is perfectly timed as they approach breakeven. VW has made a lot of big changes since 'Dieselgate' with some clever partnerships with industry leaders like XPENG, Ford Motor Company, Rivian, and Rimac Technology. I am a big advocate for this smart strategic approach to leverage external expertise. An interesting thought is that the mid-term prospects are exciting, with potential for a distribution partnership, some business are already licking their lips at this. But another interesting angle to look at is the impact on Scout Motors Inc., they could well benefit from existing Rivian developments that could boost innovation and reliability of their products and give them a competitive lift. What are your thoughts on this? VW are pushing to become a major player in the EV market, and it is quite interesting to watch as they rebuild and innovate after some big set backs a few years ago. https://lnkd.in/eumxhuqG #Automotive #ElectricVehicles #AutonomousVehicles #SoftwareDefined #Technology #Innovation #Business

Big news for our local EV champion, Rivian! Volkswagen has officially invested in Rivian to enhance their EV software, a strategic move that underscores the growing significance of innovative tech in the automotive industry. A great sign of perseverance for the EV automaker as they've been bleeding cash through their start-up operations. This collaboration isn't just a win for Rivian; it's a continued win for Central Illinois too. Reflecting on the early days when Rivian was setting up its facility in Normal, Illinois. The regional market witnessed a significant uptick in industrial demand by suppliers eager to be near Rivian's manufacturing hub. Also spurred a bullwhip in the workforce housing demand. I'm speculating that this new investment will further stimulate demand in the industrial sectors here, promising further economic growth and job creation in our region. What are your thoughts on how this partnership will further reshape the Central Illinois local economy? #EV #Volkswagen #Rivian #AutomotiveInnovation #TechPartnership #EconomicGrowth #Industrial #Warehouse #Logistics #CentralIllinois https://lnkd.in/ge-_iKjA

Title: Rivian's Stock Skyrockets After Volkswagen's $5 Billion Investment - A New Era for EVs? 🚀 Rivian Automotive Inc. saw an impressive 50% surge in its share price on November 16, 2021, following a massive $5 billion investment from Volkswagen AG. This landmark deal not only bolsters Rivian's valuation to around $80 billion but also marks a significant step forward in the electric vehicle (EV) industry. 🌍 Volkswagen's investment is part of its ambitious strategy to pump approximately $73 billion into electric vehicles and digitalization by 2029, aiming to sell roughly 26 million EVs globally by 2030. This strategic collaboration with Rivian will involve producing Volkswagen's EVs using Rivian's U.S. facilities, expected to accelerate the transition from traditional combustion engines to electric power. 🔧 The partnership could revolutionize both companies' fortunes by merging Volkswagen's extensive automotive experience with Rivian's innovative EV technology, including its acclaimed skateboard platform. This integration promises substantial cost savings and scalability advantages, enhancing their competitive edge in the exploding EV market. ✨ For Rivatorians and auto enthusiasts alike, what does this monumental partnership mean for the future of electric transportation? Will other automotive giants follow suit in forming similar alliances? Share your thoughts below! 👇 #Rivian #Volkswagen #ElectricVehicles #EVIndustry #Innovation #AutomotiveIndustry #Sustainability #FutureOfTransportation #StockMarket 👀 Watch this space for more updates on how this partnership develops and influences the global automotive landscape. Join the discussion and let us know how you see this impacting the future of mobility!

Big news: VW is partnering with and investing $5 billion in Rivian. "The deal creates an unusual alliance between the world’s second-largest carmaker and an electric vehicle start-up that has struggled to live up to investors’ expectations that it would achieve the kind of success that made Tesla the world’s most valuable automaker. If successful, the partnership would address weaknesses at both companies. It would provide Volkswagen with the software expertise that auto analysts say it sorely lacks. And Rivian, addition to cash, would benefit from the manufacturing expertise of an automaker that cranks out nearly 10 million vehicles a year from factories around the world." #electricvehicles #ev #evs #innovation #automanufacturing

Strategic deal or an agreement in crisis? Rivian and Volkswagen As the electric vehicle market rapidly evolves, traditional automakers are grappling with new challenges, while startups struggle with scale. A recent discussion in Why Rivian and VW Both Need Each Other highlights the potential game-changing partnership between these two players: 1. Rivian's Financial Pressures Rivian, though known for its innovative approach, is burning through cash fast—losing around $1.5 billion per quarter. The recent pause on their $5 billion Georgia factory has raised concerns of bankruptcy. 2. VW's $5 Billion Lifeline Volkswagen’s investment into Rivian offers financial stability and operational support. For Rivian, this is more than just cash—it’s access to VW’s global supplier network and economies of scale. 3. Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs): A Competitive Edge Rivian excels in software-defined vehicles, streamlining over-the-air updates and consolidating vehicle control systems. This capability is something VW has struggled to implement effectively, and it may be the key to VW's long-term strategy, especially in the US truck and SUV markets. 4. Industry Implications This partnership isn’t just about survival—it reflects a shift in the auto industry towards more collaborative models between legacy automakers and innovators. Traditional players like VW need to embrace software and new business models to stay relevant, especially in the face of competition from China and Tesla. The future of automotive innovation is being written by partnerships like this. Rivian’s software agility combined with VW’s scale and market presence could set the standard for the next wave of EVs. #EV #AutomotiveInnovation #Partnership #Rivian #Volkswagen #SoftwareDefinedVehicles #FutureOfTransport

This should be an interesting match up... The "VEE DUB" which is Volkswagen lied to consumers and government regulators in a 10-year long conspiracy regarding approximately 590,000 vehicles in the U.S. equipped with software that falsely reported low carbon emissions in an attempt to cheat U.S. standards.... which is Teaming up with... Rivian where sales are picking up, but heavy losses were likely to continue for some time; So VeeDub steps in to help a FORMER competitor, Rivian, with $5 billion to bring them up to par?? Or possibly get some real algorithms to Enhance vehicle platforms that'll lay a foundation for future cars from both companies?? Some analysts say it is like punching a bit of Nitrous oxide To bring both back into the Vehicle game AND others say the opposite. The RT1 where there is on way out here is the middle of nowhere still cannot put its rating of 11000 pounds very far in REAL WORLD tests (thanks to owner who let the try happen). They are fancy schmancy and LOOK like an actual truck unlike the space stainless rival. It Weighs in on a CAT certified scale at 7148 pounds on a 1500 class chassis (½ton) AND weighs near the exact same as a 2500 class chassis (¾ton) Diesel truck within a few pounds. TOO bad the Thermodynamics are against it. And will one last 20 years...with the same battery?? Maybe VeeDub can use the software that got them into trouble to a repurpose the software to think it will.

Rivian Surges Nearly 50% on News of VW Investment The shares of EV maker Rivian surged nearly 50% after the news of a joint venture with Volkswagen, which will invest up to $5 bln. in the U.S. company. The two companies will also share technologies and VW will use Rivian’s software in its cars. Under the agreement, VW will initially invest $1bn in the electric truck and SUV maker, with another $4bn to be put into the company by 2026. Rivian was founded in 2009 and has put to market several models of quite expensive electric trucks and SUVs, but has been struggling financially and has not yet posted a quarterly profit.  Trade CFDs on Rivian: http://bit.ly/3ZbmaBE 59% of retail CFD accounts lose money.

Volkswagen’s potential $5 billion collaboration with Rivian is a bold and strategic move that could reshape the future of both companies. In an increasingly competitive EV market, Volkswagen faces mounting pressure from Asian automakers such as BYD, particularly in China, while Rivian struggles with unsustainable losses on each vehicle sold. By leveraging Rivian’s cutting-edge software capabilities, Volkswagen can accelerate its transition towards “Software Defined Vehicles,” providing a much-needed differentiator in a market dominated by innovation. Rivian, in turn, gains access to VW’s established manufacturing expertise, allowing it to scale more efficiently. This synergy presents a win-win scenario on paper, but the execution will be key. If both companies can overcome cultural and operational differences, this partnership could redefine the EV landscape. Time will reveal whether this strategic collaboration will deliver on its potential. #EVStrategy #Volkswagen #Rivian #AutomotiveTransformation

The $5 billion Volkswagen Group and Rivian collaboration, focused on EV architecture and software development signifies a new era for the automotive industry. Volkswagen will initially invest $1bn as part of a partnership with Rivian to form a new, equally controlled joint venture to share electric vehicle architecture and software, the companies said on Tuesday. 💡Why this matters: This deal highlights the growing importance of connectivity in the future of mobility. EV success hinges on more than batteries. Seamless in-car experiences, remote diagnostics, and performance optimisation all rely on robust connectivity. This partnership is a groundbreaking move in this unprecedented era for automakers as they continue to prioritise software-defined vehicle technology. #EVrevolution #Connectivity #Volkswagen #Rivian #FutureofMobility

Rivian denied reports about plans to produce EVs with Volkswagen, emphasizing their focus on in-house production. This follows a German media claim about early discussions for EV production collaboration. Rivian remains committed to building the R2 at its Illinois plant and a future Georgia factory. Despite this, the existing software collaboration between the two companies continues, with Volkswagen planning a significant investment in Rivian. The denial of the production plans caused Rivian's stock to fall slightly. https://lnkd.in/g_prjEid #Rivian #Volkswagen #EVProduction #ElectricVehicles #InHouseProduction #RivianR2 #SoftwareCollaboration #GreenTech #SustainableTransport #EVNews #AutomotiveIndustry #TechInvestment #VW #EVStock #RivianStock #AutoManufacturing #Illinois #Georgia #ElectricSUV #InnovationInEVs